Office of the Macquarie University Provost
The Vice Chancellor's Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
Purpose
The purpose of these awards is to, recognise and reward the diverse contributions that individuals and teams make to the quality of student learning.
Nature
The Award recognises people (individuals or groups) who have made a significant contribution to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period, whether they are academic staff, general staff, sessional staff or institutional associates, or student groups and associations. Individual citations are unique and reflect the diversity of ways in which university staff and associates contribute to excellent learning and teaching in higher education.
Winners receive an Award Certificate that is presented at an appropriate ceremony and an award of $2,000.
Award winners are eligible to be nominated for an ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and are required to (a) contribute to the dissemination of good teaching practice within the University by presenting a paper based on their award winning practice at University Learning and Teaching fora, and (b) support their colleagues to develop competitive applications for citations by making their winning applications available to intending applicants.
Eligibility
Application is open to both individual members of staff, teams of staff and/or teams of staff and students, and student groups. Teams may be of any size. However, applications may name no more than five members.
Winners of Citations are not eligible for re-nomination within three years of receiving an award. Previously unsuccessful applicants are eligible and encouraged to apply. Citations and Outstanding Teacher Awards are distinct award types and therefore nomination for, or receipt of, one award type does not affect eligibility for nomination for the other.
Number of Awards
Up to five Vice-Chancellor's Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, of $2,000 will be made each year.
Selection Criteria
1. Approaches to teaching and (to) learning support that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn
This may include:
- fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning;
- contributing to the development of students' critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values;
- encouraging student engagement through the enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching;
- inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills;
- enabling others to enhance their approaches to teaching
2. Development of curricula, resources and services that reflect a command of the field
This may include:
- developing and presenting coherent and imaginative resources for student learning;
- implementing research-led approaches to learning and teaching;
- demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the field of study in the design of the curriculum and the creation of resources for learning;
- communicating clear objectives and expectations for student learning;
- providing support to those involved in the development of curricula and resources;
- contributing professional expertise to enhance curriculum or resources
3. Approaches to assessment, feedback and learning support that foster independent learning
This may include:
- integrating assessment strategies with the specific aims and objectives for student learning;
- providing timely, worthwhile feedback to students on their learning;
- using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies;
- implementing both formative and summative assessment;
- adapting assessment methods to different contexts and diverse student needs;
- contributing professional expertise to enhance assessment and/or feedback
4. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals
This may include:
- participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students;
- assisting students from equity and other demographic subgroups to participate and achieve success in their courses;
- influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of higher education
5. Scholarly activities and service innovations that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching
This may include:
- showing advanced skills in evaluation and reflective practice;
- participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching;
- coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning;
- conducting and publishing research related to teaching;
- demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be appointed by the Vice Chancellor and chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost). Its membership will include the Chair of the Academic Senate (ex-officio), Chair of the University Learning and Teaching Committee (or nominee), the Executive Director of the Learning and Teaching Centre (or nominee), one other member of academic staff, and a current member of the University's student community.
Applications
Applications are to be made directly to Ms Lorraine Clark, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost). Applications are to be of no more than 8 A4 pages in length and must include an original and seven copies of each of the following:
- Completed and signed Application Form.
- Written statement (four A4 pages)
- Two Referees' Reports (one page each), in support of the application
- Optional supporting materials (no more than the equivalent of five A4 pages).
It is recommended that the Written statement include:
- the proposed citation (max. 25 words) describing the distinctive contribution of the nominee
- an overview, summarising the particular contribution and describing the specific context for this contribution
- a statement addressing the chosen criterion/criteria (one or more) from among the selection criteria listed above;
- a statement identifying the ways in which the contribution has influenced student learning, engagement and/or the overall student experience, been sustained over time, and been recognised by fellow staff, the institution, and/or the broader community.
Download the application form.
Checklist for Applicants
- Application form (available for download above) [ ]
- Written statement (four A4 pages) [ ]
- Two Referees' Reports (one page each) [ ]
- Optional Supporting materials in digital form (2 copies only) [ ]